Naperville, Illinois requires...

...almost no introduction. (Full disclosure: my sister lives there.)

According to Wikipedia, Naperville is the fifth largest city in the state (at over 140,000 people) and straddles Will and DuPage Counties. It was voted the second best place to live in the United States by Money Magazine in 2006. Also, in a 2010 study, Naperville was named as the wealthiest city in the Midwest and eleventh in the nation with a population over 75,000. In addition, the Naperville Public Library has been ranked number one in the United States each year from 1999 through 2010, for cities with populations between 100,000 and 249,999 by Hennen's American Public Library Ratings.

Wow. That's a lot of rankings.

What about Naperville Central High School, above, whose Redhawks (8-3) host the Vikings of Homewood-Flossmoor (also 8-3) this Friday? Are they ranked? Yes. According to US News and World Report, Central is ranked in the top three percent of high schools nationally. Phew! That's a relief.

Oh, and did I forget to mention that Central may be the only high school in America to possess an Egyptian mummy? It's true.

Impressed? Okay, so what about the football team? Are they ranked? You betcha -- 16th in the state and 5th in 8A, according to MaxPreps (right behind H-F in both).

The Redhawks, as they are now known, compete in the DuPage Valley Conference. (Naperville Central, which dates back to 1863, had the politically incorrect nickname "Redskins" from 1939 until it was changed in 1992. Wikipedia doesn't mention what they were called before 1939.)

The "DVC," as a coach from Downers Grove South told me, has -- like the Catholic League -- an out-sized reputation in the local sports media. (To be fair, the DVC has won 14 state titles since 1974.) A quick glance at the conference reveals such perennial postseason contenders as Glenbard North, Wheaton North, Wheaton Warrenville South and crosstown rival Naperville North. (The first three are still in contention.)

So how did the Redhawks do this year? Well, they beat Neuqua Valley (5-5), Glenbard North (8-3) and Naperville North (5-5) before defeating Minooka (6-4) and Belleville East (6-5) in the playoffs. But the Redhawks lost to Waubonsie Valley (8-2), Wheaton Warrenville South (8-3) and Wheaton North (8-3). Kind of a mixed bag.

Here's the entire schedule (last game first and home team in CAPS):

NAPERVILLE CENTRAL 43, Belleville East 3
Nap Central 40, MINOOKA 13
NAP CENTRAL 42, West Chicago 7
Nap Central 36, NAPERVILLE NORTH 26
WHEATON NORTH 14, Nap Central 7
NAP CENTRAL 10, Glenbard North 6
WHEATON WARRENVILLE SOUTH 14,  Nap Central 7
Nap Central 35, AURORA WEST 14
NAP CENTRAL 48, Glenbard East 7
NAP CENTRAL 28, Neuqua Valley 14
Waubonsie Valley 21, NAP CENTRAL 7

So who are these guys? The Redhawks are coached by Mike Stine, who is in his fifth season at the helm. The offense is led by quarterback Ian Lewandowski, who can run as well as pass, and running back Matt Randolph, above. Lewandowski can throw to receivers Clayton Scott and John Dicianni. The line is anchored by seniors Sean Goldner, Mike Keller and Dan Teich. Tyler Gillen is the kicker.

On defense, the Redhawks start defensive back Pat Clark and linebacker John Dullock behind the line of Zach Borta, Cody Campbell, Gannon Davis and Rob Girgis.

By the way, that Downers Grove South coach told me that some of the Central lineman are huge.

Next: Homewood-Flossmoor.